At least 8 students, 1 teacher injured in chemical fire at Hendersonville school: An official with the Hendersonville Fire Department said 17 students and one teacher were either triaged at the scene or transported to local hospitals.
During an experiment in lab by students to see change of flame colours of different salts, the incident happened. The incident appears to have happened to demonstrate rainbow flame by adding different salts to ignited ethyl alcohol. A flash fire occurred lasting 3-5 seconds.
In laboratories, will be working with known/unknown materials. The awareness on lab safety particularly in schools/colleges is generally low compared to industrial safety. Knowledge on properties of chemicals, methods to avoid hazards, control and mitigation measures, use of personal protective equipment, etc will help in avoid consequences from the work. Making safety principles as a topic in every subject let it be science / engineering / arts can help improving awareness.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/education/wp/2018/05/09/a-classroom-science-experiment-turned-into-a-chemical-fire-injuring-17/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.f3e0c55beb7f
http://www.wsmv.com/story/38149598/principal-8-students-1-teacher-injured-in-fire-at-hendersonville-school
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/high-school-chemistry-lab-fire-prompts-warnings-for-science-teachers/2015/11/05/eb78543e-8312-11e5-9afb-0c971f713d0c_story.html?utm_term=.4025ee47ffa1
http://www.wkrn.com/top-news/chemistry-safety-experts-warn-schools-to-stop-unsafe-science-demonstrations/1172474948
Showing posts with label lab safety. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lab safety. Show all posts
Jan 18, 2016
Nov 10, 2012
Letter about the experiences on lab safety
The link below takes to a letter published in Chemical Engineering News about lab safety, experience about lab safety in the college. Lab safety may be followed to a great extent in developed countries, but my personal experience during my college days is that we were never told about hazards, safety procedures, precautions to be taken in the laboratory. Now, I feel how I went through those days and what could have happened if I did something wrong.
As a safety professional, now I feel that college laboratories should have documented safety programme and should be monitored for implementation. Students should know about properties, hazards, material safety data sheets, procedures for storage-handling-disposal, emergency procedures, proper use of PPE, etc.
When we take chemicals in to a bottle or container, we should ensure that the bottle was used previously for the same chemical or better use only cleaned bottles. Otherwise, it is likely that we will be adding a chemical to the bottle that contains or was used for a chemical that is not compatible and a runaway reaction may take place leading to rupture of bottle, splashing of chemicals, hit with glass splinters, etc.
We should use proper bottle holder to move the bottles instead of holding the bottle at its lid or neck which may lead to fall of the bottles.
When chemical splashes, we should remove the contaminated cloth and wash thoroughly for atleast 15 minutes immediately and consult doctor for further treatment. There were reports in which a student received HF splash on her lab coat. Instead of removing the coat, she washed the splashed portion of the coat with some water and continued her work. She was found dead in her apartment later. The reason listed was that though the contaminated coat was washed, the vapors continued to emanate from her coat which she did not notice but inhaled and this caused edema. Chemicals like HF, phosgene, etc exhibit delayed effects causing respiratory problems and eventually lead to death.
Studies show that even after 15 minutes of thorough wash, only about 95% of the splashed chemical can be washed. Hence, prominent display of 'wash for atleast 15 minutes' should be displayed in the lab and near the emergency shower/eye wash fountain or the rack containing eye wash bottles.
http://cen.acs.org/articles/90/i44/Lab-Safety-UCLA-Accident.html
As a safety professional, now I feel that college laboratories should have documented safety programme and should be monitored for implementation. Students should know about properties, hazards, material safety data sheets, procedures for storage-handling-disposal, emergency procedures, proper use of PPE, etc.
When we take chemicals in to a bottle or container, we should ensure that the bottle was used previously for the same chemical or better use only cleaned bottles. Otherwise, it is likely that we will be adding a chemical to the bottle that contains or was used for a chemical that is not compatible and a runaway reaction may take place leading to rupture of bottle, splashing of chemicals, hit with glass splinters, etc.
We should use proper bottle holder to move the bottles instead of holding the bottle at its lid or neck which may lead to fall of the bottles.
When chemical splashes, we should remove the contaminated cloth and wash thoroughly for atleast 15 minutes immediately and consult doctor for further treatment. There were reports in which a student received HF splash on her lab coat. Instead of removing the coat, she washed the splashed portion of the coat with some water and continued her work. She was found dead in her apartment later. The reason listed was that though the contaminated coat was washed, the vapors continued to emanate from her coat which she did not notice but inhaled and this caused edema. Chemicals like HF, phosgene, etc exhibit delayed effects causing respiratory problems and eventually lead to death.
Studies show that even after 15 minutes of thorough wash, only about 95% of the splashed chemical can be washed. Hence, prominent display of 'wash for atleast 15 minutes' should be displayed in the lab and near the emergency shower/eye wash fountain or the rack containing eye wash bottles.
http://cen.acs.org/articles/90/i44/Lab-Safety-UCLA-Accident.html
Sep 11, 2012
Lab accidents are scary-An article from Science 2.0
http://www.science20.com/chemical_education/why_scary_lab_accidents_happen-93815
The above link is about the experience of a chemist. It should be read by chemists to have a feel about the need for lab safety and what can go wrong if you dont know about all implications before taking up your experiment.
The above link is about the experience of a chemist. It should be read by chemists to have a feel about the need for lab safety and what can go wrong if you dont know about all implications before taking up your experiment.
Aug 18, 2012
Feb 11, 2012
Tech strives to raise awareness, minimize risks after series of laboratory explosions | Lubbock Online | Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
Tech strives to raise awareness, minimize risks after series of laboratory explosions | Lubbock Online | Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
http://www.diamondbackonline.com/news/chem-labs-now-stricter-to-prevent-accidents-1.2761539#.TzaJS8Xro2c
After three incidents in the university laboratory, several measures like forming a lab safety committee, regular meetings, forming guidelines to handle the chemicals safely, safety inspections, identification of hazards, identification incompatible chemicals and disposal, labeling of chemicals, location of chemicals at proper places, color coding, disposal of unused chemicals lying for a long time, enforcing use of full hand lab coat instead of apron while working in lab, having full shoe, emergency plan, linking safety awareness to career progress, etc were taken to avoid future accidents.
LINK
http://www.diamondbackonline.com/news/chem-labs-now-stricter-to-prevent-accidents-1.2761539#.TzaJS8Xro2c
After three incidents in the university laboratory, several measures like forming a lab safety committee, regular meetings, forming guidelines to handle the chemicals safely, safety inspections, identification of hazards, identification incompatible chemicals and disposal, labeling of chemicals, location of chemicals at proper places, color coding, disposal of unused chemicals lying for a long time, enforcing use of full hand lab coat instead of apron while working in lab, having full shoe, emergency plan, linking safety awareness to career progress, etc were taken to avoid future accidents.
LINK
Feb 9, 2012
Lab safety: Stringent safety measures in place to avoid life-threatening accidents
ISAT: Stringent safety measures in place to avoid life-threatening accidents - The Breeze: News
The above is an article about lab safety. Many do not think of following safety rules while working or doing experiments in a laboratory. But, we have to understand that those working in the laboratory do not have any practical knowledge and are unable to assess the magnitude of the danger which they will be exposed to. Many universities developed lab safety procedures. But many more do not consider safety in lab as an essential practice.
The above is an article about lab safety. Many do not think of following safety rules while working or doing experiments in a laboratory. But, we have to understand that those working in the laboratory do not have any practical knowledge and are unable to assess the magnitude of the danger which they will be exposed to. Many universities developed lab safety procedures. But many more do not consider safety in lab as an essential practice.
Jan 14, 2012
Chemical explosion in university lab
In an explosion in a university laboratory, a student working with sodium azide received injuries on his face, arms and body. The fire responder too received burns on his face and eyes and this was suspected due to travelling of chemicals with sweat downwards. The student was wearing goggles and the responder,a face mask at the time of the incident.
It is reported that in the same lab earlier in October, an explosion took place when a student was scrapping the azide residue on the flask. The shattered glass pieces caused injury to face and was without any personal protective equipment.
In another explosion few months before, another student suffered serious cut injury on the arm, while mixing water with hydrochloric acid and titanium tetra chloride in a jar.
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20120111/ARTICLES/120119873?tc=obinsite
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20120112/ARTICLES/120119832/1109/sports?p=1&tc=pg page-1
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20120112/ARTICLES/120119832/1109/sports?p=2&tc=pg page-2
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20120112/ARTICLES/120119832/1109/sports?p=3&tc=pg page-3
It is assumed generally that nothing will happen in lab. But, because of research with little information available, the hazards are more in lab work. Further, students do not have much knowledge/awareness about safe practices and their concentration is only about carrying out experiment/studies.
The above incidents call for safety programme implementation in educational institutions also, like in any industrial set up and appointment of a full pledged safety officer to ensure implementation of safety programme.
It is reported that in the same lab earlier in October, an explosion took place when a student was scrapping the azide residue on the flask. The shattered glass pieces caused injury to face and was without any personal protective equipment.
In another explosion few months before, another student suffered serious cut injury on the arm, while mixing water with hydrochloric acid and titanium tetra chloride in a jar.
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20120111/ARTICLES/120119873?tc=obinsite
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20120112/ARTICLES/120119832/1109/sports?p=1&tc=pg page-1
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20120112/ARTICLES/120119832/1109/sports?p=2&tc=pg page-2
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20120112/ARTICLES/120119832/1109/sports?p=3&tc=pg page-3
It is assumed generally that nothing will happen in lab. But, because of research with little information available, the hazards are more in lab work. Further, students do not have much knowledge/awareness about safe practices and their concentration is only about carrying out experiment/studies.
The above incidents call for safety programme implementation in educational institutions also, like in any industrial set up and appointment of a full pledged safety officer to ensure implementation of safety programme.
Dec 14, 2011
Reaction to Chemistry Lab Explosion
An explosion leading to burning of students during an experiment is reported. The teacher dropped a match in methanol causing the incident. The following link contains brief description of the incident along with a video about lab safety.
Reaction to Chemistry Lab Explosion
LINK
Reaction to Chemistry Lab Explosion
LINK
Oct 30, 2011
Drinking water or chemical in a water bottle?
Today in a local daily, I read a person died two days after drinking sanitary fluid phenyl, assuming it as fruit juice. Earlier, I heard from a friend about his relative drinking hydro chloric acid (HCl) in a bottle assuming it as water and developing blisters in the mouth. Before that, I heard another incident of a boy taking water from a jug placed on a water cooler, that was used earlier for phenyl and had symptoms of stomach burning for few days. There were many lab incidents due to the use of a chemical that is not same as the label on the bottle.
All above incidents stress on importance of proper labeling, safe procedure for handling of chemicals, proper hygienic practices and supervision. Otherwise, such incidents keep recurring at regular intervals.
All above incidents stress on importance of proper labeling, safe procedure for handling of chemicals, proper hygienic practices and supervision. Otherwise, such incidents keep recurring at regular intervals.
Oct 20, 2011
Lab safety - CSB advice
Safety is talked much in industries and followed to some extent. But, the research facilities and academic institutions, where experiments are carried out, this important activity is normally left to the wisdom of the individuals. No study is carried out about hazards in the experiments.
Chemical Safety Board of US recommends the following for improving lab safety.
1. Laboratory safety management plans must include physical as well as chemical exposure hazards.
2. Institutions should ensure that research-specific hazards are evaluated and mitigated.
3. Laboratory researchers need guidance documents to help manage hazardous chemicals that are unique to their research environments.
4. Research-specific written protocols and training are necessary to manage laboratory research risk.
5. Academic institutions must ensure that safety inspectors report directly to those with authority to implement improvements.
6. Incidents and near-misses should be documented, tracked, and communicated.
The full article can be read here. http://pubs.acs.org/cen/government/89/8943gov1.html
Chemical Safety Board of US recommends the following for improving lab safety.
1. Laboratory safety management plans must include physical as well as chemical exposure hazards.
2. Institutions should ensure that research-specific hazards are evaluated and mitigated.
3. Laboratory researchers need guidance documents to help manage hazardous chemicals that are unique to their research environments.
4. Research-specific written protocols and training are necessary to manage laboratory research risk.
5. Academic institutions must ensure that safety inspectors report directly to those with authority to implement improvements.
6. Incidents and near-misses should be documented, tracked, and communicated.
The full article can be read here. http://pubs.acs.org/cen/government/89/8943gov1.html
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